15 Civilians Move Helicopter Wreckage, Save Paramedic: 'They Didn't Hesitate'

SACRAMENTO, CA — When a medical helicopter crashed on a Sacramento highway earlier this week, 15 drivers sprang into action under the direction of a local fire captain to move the wreckage and help free a trapped paramedic.

The EC-130 aircraft had just dropped off a patient at a hospital when it experienced an “in-air emergency” and went down shortly after 7 p.m. Monday on U.S. Highway 50 at 59th Street, according to authorities.

“Just out of instinct — the people were there willing to help, and they didn’t hesitate and followed my exact commands,” Sacramento Fire Capt. Peter Vandersluis told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “And we were able to lift it up with ease.”

Vandersluis was supervising the first fire engine crew to reach the crash, and he knew it would take too long for additional rescue teams to arrive.

He said he had never led a group of civilians in an emergency response situation before. But his training and nearly 20 years of experience as a firefighter told him what to do.

Miraculously, no vehicles were involved in the crash. The paramedic, as well as a nurse and the pilot, was taken to UC Davis Medical Center and remained in critical condition as of Wednesday, according to REACH Air Medical Services, which operated the helicopter. The nurse’s condition was unstable on Wednesday, but the conditions of the pilot and paramedic were stable, according to the company.

“On behalf of our crew, their families and REACH, we extend heartfelt thanks to the bystanders who helped during their rescue,” REACH said in a social media post.

“We deeply appreciate those who became first responders by supporting our flight crews during their time of need and showed exceptional courage during this crucial moment.”

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration were investigating the crash.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.